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Top ten health benefits of coffee and tea

Coffee and tea. A tale of two tastes. Chances are youâ€™re fiercely loyal to one or the other (seldom both) and no amount of jargon-busting scientific research and medical surveys will influence your choice.

At Strong Vend, nothing hits the spot for us quite like a steaming mug of straight black java from our bean to cup coffee machines. We occasionally succumb to a sugar-packed builderâ€™s brew or an exotic loose-leaf tea infusion for an afternoon indulgence of finger sandwiches, home-baked scones and artfully-crafted pastries. But mostly weâ€™re all about coffee.

In spite of some conflicting and contradictory headline-grabbing evidence from medical professionals and nutrition experts – far be it for us to imply that published research is, ahem, at times based on the authorâ€™s hot drink preference â€“ both coffee and tea rack up their own set of credible statistics.

It has been universally accepted that both beverages are metabolism-revving, memory-boosting, mood-enhancing and high in disease-fighting antioxidants and have plenty of positive health attributes if consumed without the calorific trappings of sugar, cream and full-fat milk.

Top ten health benefits of coffee

Wake up call

Research shows that it takes just ten minutes for caffeine to kick in and force your body to release hormones that boost your heart rate and blood pressure. Downing a quick cup of coffee before a gym workout can improve performance and endurance.

Think happy:

Whilst itâ€™s not a mind-altering drug, medics propose that those who of us who drink four or more cups of coffee daily are less likely to suffer from depression. Coffee acts as a mild antidepressant by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Live longer:

Coffee contains tons of trusted antioxidants (compounds that neutralise chemicals called free radicals) that are absorbed by the body. The naturally occurring caffeine in coffee also neutralises endogenous enzymes which cause vascular congestion leading to heart attacks.

Combat stress:

There are claims from neuroscientists that chemicals in coffee’s aroma help to protect the brain from stress-related damage. So just smelling the coffee from your bean to cup coffee machine will chill you out.

Love your liver:

Coffee is good for your liver, especially if you consume copious amounts of alcohol. Studies reveal that coffee-drinkers are less likely to develop liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Stay smart:

Caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system to perk you up and increase concentration. The much-loved morning pick-me-up from your bean to cup coffee machine will improve your logic, reasoning, reaction time and performance.

Curb cancer risk:

Coffee may lower the risk of fast-spreading cancers, mainly in the ovaries, liver, skin and colon. Research proves that one cup of caffeinated coffee daily also lowers the risk of non-hormone responsive breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

Defend against diseases:

Much medical evidence suggests that coffee may reduce the risk of Alzheimerâ€™s and also act as a preventative for gout. Studies also show that daily coffee drinkers are 30 percent less likely to develop type II diabetes.

Protect against Parkinsonâ€™s:

Coffee consumption on a daily basis may help Parkinson’s disease sufferers control their tremors. It can also reduce the chance of developing the neurodegenerative disorder by almost 50 percent.

Cut stroke risk:

A daily cuppa from your bean to cup coffee machine may significantly cut the risk of a stroke by 20 percent. Japanese researchers claim that coffee may benefit cardiovascular health because it prevents blood clots from forming.

Top ten health benefits of tea

Calm down:

Tea has been linked to calming nerves and anxiety. Studies suggest that the mere whiff of herbal tea infusions – most notably jasmine and lavender – can decrease the heart rate.

Beat water:

Some scientists believe that drinking four or more cups of tea daily could be more beneficial than drinking water as it is super-hydrating and replenishes fluids in the body.

Rule out disease:

Both green and black teas contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants that can prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts and memory problems. Tea is a natural source of flavonoids – there is eight times the antioxidant capacity of one apple in just three cups of tea.

Go great gums:

Research shows that unsweetened tea is the perfect tonic for healthy teeth and gums. Tea contains fluoride and tannins to keep plaque at bay and also kills the bacteria associated with tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Look younger:

The potent antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate found in green tea prevents the activation of collagen-digesting enzymes that give us wrinkles. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that could combat the onset of wrinkles and fine lines.

Save your eyes:

Research proves that substances found in green tea – called catechins – penetrate into tissues of the eyeball. This bolsters eye health, beats off oxidative stress and protects against glaucoma and other common eye diseases.

Strengthen bones:

Nutritionists found that habitual tea drinking over several years preserves bone density in both men and women. Daily tea consumption is also associated with decreasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Fight cancer:

There is much research to demonstrate that the catechins found in tea can prevent cell mutation, reduce the formation and growth of tumours and deactivate certain carcinogens.